Life jackets

Saturday, 4 August 2012

Life jackets are a safety item that should be worn by anyone who is
on a small boat or any form of personal watercraft. In fact life jackets
must be worn by law by people in small boats and personal water craft
in many countries of the world. Even if you consider yourself a strong
swimmer it is highly recommended that you wear a life jacket while on
the water. Even the strongest swimmer is in imminent danger of drowning
in the water.

There are numerous types and styles of lifejackets available on the
market today, many of which have been developed to suit specialist uses.
Life jackets have a rating system PDF1, PDF2 or PDF3. PDF 1 rated
lifejackets are the lifejackets that you would wear whilst in open water
onboard a small boat.

These life jackets must be brightly colored and have a floatation collar
that will support your head and keep it out of the water if you are
unconscious in the water. PDF 2 and 3 rated life jackets are designed to
be used by people riding personal water craft or water skiing. PDF 2
and 3 life jackets or vests do not have a floatation collar as it is
believed they could harm the rider or skiers neck in the event of a high
speed fall into the water.

PDF 2 and 3 rated life jackets are designed to be used close to shore
where help will be readily available and are technically considered
floatation devices not life jackets. The difference between a PDF 2 and 3
rated life jacket or vest is that a PDF2 must be brightly colored so
that the person is highly visible in the water.

PDF3 life jackets do not have to be manufactured in high visibility
colours. You should check with your local authorities on the local
regulations regarding which life jacket rating is required for various
water sports and activities. Life jackets can be purchased from your
local boating or water sports store or over the internet.

Make sure that you purchase a lifejacket with a PDF rating; these
jackets have met the stringent safety standards required to obtain the
rating and will keep you or your loved ones safe. Please also remember
the most important point a life jacket is only a safety device if you
are wearing it!